SPORT
FIRST HOCKEY PREMIERSHIP SINCE 2009
HOCKEY PREMIERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESSFUL SPORT SEASONS
ABOVE : SCOTCH ’ S PREMIERSHIP-WINNING 1ST XI HOCKEY TEAM .
During the winter sport season Scotch delivered its second premiership for 2024 . Our 1st XI Hockey team was outstanding all year and answered every challenge . An amazing rivalry with St Kevin ’ s College emerged , as both teams dominated the competition and had two drawn matches against each other . In both these games , Scotch came from behind to draw level . Captain Emerson Hodder ’ s chase-down spoil in the final play of the season in a penalty corner captured the commitment to the team embodied by this squad .
All boys and coaches should be commended for their efforts . They played an inspired brand of hockey that balanced a very strong attack with a cohesive and well-organised defence . The hockey premiership is the first since 2009 , and while we have been close in recent years , this season will be remembered for years to come in the hockey program as reward for the boys ’ consistency of effort and performance .
The cross-country squad emerged as contenders this season against the highly fancied Wesley College . A highlight of the season was winning the Athletics Victoria All Schools Relay Competition with Captain Rory Vial finishing second in the under 20s and Conor Sullivan ( Year 11 ) coming third in the under 18s . The under 20 and under 17 relays teams finished second and the under 18 and 14 relays teams finished third .
Throughout the APS cross-country season we lost only one fixture , narrowly to Wesley . While Caulfield Grammar pushed our squad , we had greater depth and were able to get our first six runners over the line before the opposition . Amazingly , Rory Vial and Conor Sullivan combined for three first places throughout the season .
Our rugby union program took another step forward as we won our first final in over a decade in the Victorian Schools Rugby Union competition . The third placing was a great result for the squad , as they looked to build on last season ’ s finals appearance . The boys played a tough brand of rugby , and our forward pack competed all over the ground , providing opportunities for the backs to link up and create scoring chances .
After a respectable round one loss to St Kevin ’ s and a slightly disappointing result against Xavier College in round three , the 1st XV regrouped to put some early season wins together and build some momentum . A season-defining win against Haileybury , 27-25 , was arguably the catalyst for this change . We qualified for the finals with five wins and four losses .
Our 1st XV played some inspired rugby to challenge St Kevin ’ s in the semi-final . However , we didn ’ t take our opportunities and St Kevin ’ s did . The loss was disappointing , as it was the closest we have come to defeating St Kevin ’ s in recent years , and showcased the development of our program . The 1st XV won the Bob Dalziel
62 Great Scot Issue 172 – Edition 2 2024